How Does A Gas Meter Work?

Gas meter is a device that measures the flow of fuel gases such as natural gases. Now talking about how the gas meter works depends on the internal structure and layout of the gas meter. Most common types of gas meters are illustrated below:

1) Diaphragm meters:

These meters consist of multiple chambers formed by moveable diaphragms. When the gas is inserted, directed by internal valves, the chamber fills and expels gas producing a continuous flow through the meter. Expansion and contraction of diaphragms causes levers connected to convert the linear motion of the diaphragms into rotary motion which can then be read

2) Rotary meters:
These are highly précised meters that can handle more pressure and more volume than others. It consists of two-figure "8" shaped lobes, the rotors that spin in accurate arrangement. With each turn, they move a specific quantity of gas through the meter that can be measured with help of embedded digits.

3) Turbine meters:

Their function is much simple from others. They consist of small internal turbines that move when gas passes through them. Motion of turbines can be read by mechanical calculators attached. As turbines produce some friction with the gas, so in order to reduce error rate these meters are used in large industries.

A gas meter is a very important piece of equipment. Gases are far more difficult to measure than liquids or solids as gases have different volumes at different temperatures and pressures. It is used in homes as well as industries and certain vehicles. The use of a gas meter is for measuring the rate at which the gases flow through a pipe. This can be natural gas or different gas mixtures. It is used in hi-tech industries to measure flow of inflammable and combustible gases. Some of these gases can be poisonous and dangerous and knowing the proper flow is extremely important.

There are different types of gas meters. Some of these types are; diaphragm meters, rotary meters and turbine meters. Diaphragm meters are the most commonly found gas meters. This has a minimum of two chambers in it and these are formed by flexible diaphragms that can move.

There are certain internal valves that direct the flow of gas within the meter. The internal chambers fill up and expel the gas one after the other (not all at once) which cause a continuous flow of gas through the gas meter. When the flexible diaphragms expand and collapse the linear movement is converted to a rotating motion and this is what turns the digital counter to measure the flow of gas.

The best meters are mass flow meters. These are very accurate and expensive. They work by passing the flow (or part of the flow) across a heater and measuring the rise in temperature. The amount of energy used and temperature rise are specific to the gas being measured but is a very accurate measure of mass flow and is independent of inlet pressure and temperature, a fudge factor can be used to correct flows for a gas different to the gas the meter was calibrated for.